126 
NATIONS TO THE N.N.W. OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW MEXICO. 
ward of the river Colorado live other hands, which may he considered as one numerous nation; 
they are the Chemeque-caprala, Cehmeque-sabinta, Chemequaba, Chemeque, and Payuches; 
all speaking the same language, with the exception of the last. 
12. There is information, likewise, that to the northward of the last, are others settled, 
called Guamoa, Guanavepe, Guallivas, Aquachacha, Tapiel, Baqui-oba, and Gualta. Among 
none of these nations, nor among the many that have been found in the northwestern part of 
America, has the smallest idea of religion been observed, nor reasons for the suspicion of it 
from any acknowleged idolatry, though they generally respect and distinguish those whom 
they believe to be wizards—a natural trait in the character of all Indians, 
SECTION VI. 
Of the nations to the north-northwest of the province of New Mexico. 
1. The reconnaissance by the Spaniards which has given the most light respecting the nations 
that live in the northern part of America, is the journey which was made in the year 1*776 by 
the reverend fathers Friar Francisco Atanasio Dominguez, and Friar Francisco Yalez Esca¬ 
lante. After having seen an extract from the long diary kept of this successful expedition, I 
had the good fortune to become acquainted with the Rev. Father Dominguez, a man of sound 
sense, of great probity, and acknoAvledged virtue. He states, with the naturalness and clear¬ 
ness that arise from one incapable of anything else than truth, that about two hundred leagues 
to the north-northwest of the town of Santa Fe, in New Mexico, he discovered the Indians 
called Yutas Zaguaganas, about whose several towns are three lakes, which are called in their 
language Timpanogotzis, or Timpanocuitzis, of which the first is at the height of 40° of lati¬ 
tude ; and continuing one hundred and twenty leagues to the westward of those lakes, that you 
will arrive at the great valley and lake of the Timpanotzis, where live a people the most docile 
and kindly of any of the many that as yet have been found in the New World. The valley 
begins at 40° 49' of north latitude: it has in the midst a very great lake; and into this lake, 
besides receiving many brooks and rivulets, there fall four rivers that pass through the valley, 
and water it at equal distances, in such manner that a rich province might be created there 
abundant in all kinds of grain and in herbs. Much brotherly feeling was manifested by this 
people, and a sincere desire to receive religion. They follow the chase, to supply them with 
skins for their covering, and they make use of the flesh; but, with them, their greatest delight 
is fishing, which supplies abundant food for their support, and without exertion. 
2. Journeying from the lake of the Timpanotzis to the soutliwestward, and passing over 
thirty leagues of country, another numerous nation is arrived at, the men of which have very 
stiff and thick beards, that of some being so long as to give the aged who wear them the 
appearance of ancient anchorites. They have the cartilage of the nose bored near the exterior 
extremity, and wear in it a small bone of the stag, or some other animal. They look like 
Spaniards, not only in the beard, but in their physiognomy. In docility and kindness they are 
like the people of the lakes ( lagunos ), or Timpanotzis. They separated from the missionaries 
with expressive demonstrations of affection, showing great feeling at parting, to the extent of 
shedding tears. The name of this nation, in their own language, is Tiransgapui , and the val¬ 
ley in which they live begins in latitude 39° 35' north. 
3. The purpose of that expedition was to penetrate into several nations adjoining those on 
the coast of California, to explore down the Colorado river, and to continue, by the way of Moqui 
and Zuni, as far as Santa Fe. 
4. This narrative, affirmed to by two religious men of high character, and by others who com¬ 
posed their escort, persons selected to go into those distant and unexplored countries, of which 
nothing was known, is sufficient authority to disprove the assertions of some authors, who, 
treating of the Indians, have set down the absence of beard as characteristic of the race, merely 
